Original Posted By: "Oscar Zuniga"
I guess I'll throw in the numbers for 41CC for comparison. This airplane is built according to the "improved" plans, being close to 13'-7" from firewall to tailpost and being framed according to the "improved" dimensions in the forward bays. It has the top of the cabane struts inclined aft 4" from vertical and the engine mount stands the engine 14" off the firewall (at the top), which is an extension of a little more than 2-1/4" from the Pietenpol engine mount drawings for the A65-8 engine and was evidently a good move that Corky made when he put it together.It has a deck angle of 12.2 degrees in the 3-point attitude with its 6.00x6 mains aired up to spec, and in this condition the axle centerline is 5-3/4" aft of the wing leading edge (line dropped straight down from the LE). These numbers are said to be indicators of how the airplane will handle on the ground and rotate on takeoff.When last weighed (with metal prop, I assume), it came in at 632 lbs. empty weight and the CG calcs showed it to balance nicely inside the limits in all normal loading conditions. The two conditions that I have noticed using spreadsheet "what-ifs" are that it requires a minimum pilot weight of around 90 lbs. with full fuel and no passenger, and also therefore cannot be safely piloted solo from the front seat. I have placarded it "REAR SEAT SOLO ONLY" in the front cockpit.Today it wears a Hegy wooden prop and the ELT has been moved aft of the pilot's seat so a few things have changed since Corky owned it, and the new W&B will reveal how well it will balance in this new configuration. A smoke system will also be installed on the forward face of the firewall, but is not yet in place other than the mounting studs for it and the builder's wild ideas, sketches, and a workbench top full of bits and pieces. I guess sometimes smoke gets in my eyes ;o)Oscar ZunigaSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________